"If there is a supply gap because of the floods, prices will rise"

"We are not really noticing the storms in Spain either in terms of pricing or availability. Of course, broccoli and cauliflower from German farms are currently experiencing problems also, but the situation is slowly recovering," says Florian Wolz, Managing Director of Franken-Gemüse Knoblauchsland eG. Just two weeks ago, supply was extremely tight.

Florian Wolz at a member company with hydroponic lettuce cultivation. Photo: Archive

With lettuce, Germany can still supply itself pretty good, and there are no price increases, says Wolz: "In the autumn, the last batches were set up a little more generous, because the harvest pressure is not so great anymore." The nights are not more so warm and days not so long, so there is a longer window for harvesting. " However, he expects an exciting development regarding the iceberg lettuce: "Production in southern Germany will be over in one to two weeks, so if the harvest from Spain is really delayed as far as you think, then there will certainly be a slight supply gap."

Wolz visits Jochen Haubner, Haubner Gemüsebau. Photo: Archive

In general, there has been no positive price development for lettuce  this autumn. In general, the late connection could be beneficial for German and Spanish producers: "If the transition does not coincide then prices will rise as well, and getting started on an empty market is always good." This could be an advantage for the "late and risk victims" who, despite the risk of frost, can still plant some quantities later and offer goods in this gap. Hydroponic crops, as they are grown at Knoblauchsland, can increase volume sales in such situations, but they are somewhat set in terms of price, and thus short-term shortages do not make any major difference.

Wolz regrets the price development for vegetables in the German trade despite everything: "The prices in the trade at the moment only rise around here when there is a shortage. We have not seen this situation in the lettuce area this year, unfortunately."